Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) - Rural Landscape after Gainsborough

In the 1780s Rowlandson produced various etchings after Thomas Gainsborough's landscape works with the Met Museum (New York) and the British Museum having excellent examples. This work is larger and far more detailed than these works and Rowlandson has added much more depth through watercolour and sepia washes. It is a highly completed picture with various animals drawn alongside a shepherd with his dog. The large trees on the right are similar to those by Paul Sandby and help to frame the composition. Rowlandson although known mainly for his caricatures was highly accomplished in landscape works and took his inspiration from Gainsborough and John Hamilton Mortimer.
 
Medium: watercolour over an etched line on paper, c. 1780.
 
24.5 x 32.7 cm, framed.
 
Provenance: The Folio Society Collectors' Corner, London, stock no. E7407.
 
Condition report: excellent condition overall with a small crease in the upper right hand corner of the watercolour. The mount has two small black marks which are obvious in the photographs.